Russian icon Kovalev takes on Yarde after killing a rival in the ring, nearly destroying his career with vodka and ‘groping woman on a plane’

Revealed

Wally Downes Jr

24 Aug 2019, 20:59

Updated: 24 Aug 2019, 20:59

Wally Downes Jr

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SERGEY KOVALEV, once one of the world’s most feared punchers, has been hitting headlines for all the wrong reasons recently.

But the WBO light-heavyweight champion of the world has the chance to remind British fans of his terrifying power when he faces 18-0 Eastender Anthony Yarde in his hometown of Chelyabinsk, Russia, tonight.

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Kovalev has made headlines for all the wrong reasons after a stunning early careerCredit: AFP

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Kovalev is a family man but has landed himself in hot water on more than one occasion

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Kovalev's clashes with Ward are some of his most famous battlesCredit: Getty

Three defeats and two, allegedly alcohol-fuelled, arrests in the last two-and-a-half years have left him looking vulnerable, after 16 years of spine-chilling dominance.

In June 2013 Wales hero and then WBO boss Nathan Cleverly agreed to defend his strap against a mysterious Russian with a terrifying mark on his resume.

Just 18 months before their Cardiff showdown, Kovalev had beaten fellow Russian Roman Simakov so severely, over seven rounds, that he tragically fell into a coma and died.

The 6ft powerhouse has never discussed the tragedy and remained in touch with his fallen fellow Russian's mother but any agony or possible guilt over that sad night did nothing to dim his ferocity.

So, when online boxing 'experts' labelled the unbeaten KO artist everything from a road sweeper to a taxi driver, Cleverly hit back in defence of the prospect.

Sadly, that August, the Welshman was utterly unable to defend himself against the rampaging Soviet, who snatched the title in four one-sided rounds and went on to dominate the division for six faultless years.

AMERICAN DREAM

Kovalev had not burst onto the scene and raced to a 21-0-1 record, going into the Cleverly bout, following a celebrated amateur career.

Despite a record of 195-18, he failed to win over vital financial backers so he headed to America to make his name and fortune.

Between 2009 and 2011 he had 19 wins and a draw but had not earned a single penny. Without a promoter or TV deal, every cent he had went on living, eating and training.

But, under the guidance of mastermind manager Egis Klimas, a Luthuanian immigrant to the US who turned the 42 dollars he arrived with into an empire, via one early career folding pizza boxes, Kovalev soared.

Signed up to Main Events promotions and female trailblazer Kathy Duva, Krusher bulldozed through the division, picking up every version of the title apart from the WBC, adding the scalps of ring legend Bernard Hopkins, Jean Pascal (twice) and Isaac Chilemba.

The juggernaut was only ground to a halt when undefeated ring icon and Olympic gold winner Andre Ward used all his revered skill and ringmaship to outpoint and stop Krusher in back-to-back bouts in November 2016 and June 2017.

BRUSH(ES) WITH THE LAW

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Kovalev has found himself in trouble with the police down the yearsCredit: Getty

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Kovalev will be hoping to rekindle his top form against YardeCredit: Getty

The wounded animal regained the WBO crown by the following November but in June 2018, one month before his defence against Eleider Alvarez, he was arrested for allegedly punching a woman in the face after she rejected his romantic advances.

The victim reportedly suffered a broken nose, a concussion and a displaced disk in her neck and Kovalev was charged with assault likely to cause great bodily injury.

Unsurprisingly, he lost his August 2018 bout with the Colombian but bounced back for revenge last February.

Worringly still, at the end of July, the 36-year-old was reportedly thrown off of a Los Angeles bound flight after trying to kiss and throw money at a female passenger.

The veteran was not arrested or charged and boarded another flight the next day but his recent problems, in and outside of the ring, have been blamed on excessive drinking by former trainers and old rivals.

But plenty of boxing experts, like Ward’s genius coach Virgil Hunter, insist Kovalev could never have achieved half of his glittering career if swimming in as much vodka and beer as his critics claimed.